SHILLONG, April 23: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Saturday slammed the state government for its claim that no illegal mining and transportation activities are taking place in the state.
AITC leader Mukul Sangma said, “When have they said there is illegality going on? Have you heard the government at any point of time saying that? They are always in denial mode.”
He said the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and the Home Minister have been constantly denying the illegalities but the people of the state know what is happening.
“Now if their action proves beyond reasonable doubt that they are acting as an accused, then we have every reason to ask for an independent inquiry,” Sangma said.
Welcoming the decision of the High Court of Meghalaya to appoint Justice (retd) BP Katakey of the Gauhati High Court to monitor the compliance of Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal orders on coal mining, Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, had stated those blaming the MDA government for coal-related illegalities would now realise the government has been ticking the right boxes as far as illegal coal mining activities are concerned.
He had also claimed that no illegal mining activities are going on in the state.
Earlier, based on reports that appeared in The Shillong Times and visit by a three-judge bench, which was accompanied by the Chief Secretary, to Khliehriat in East Jaintia Hills, the High Court had pulled up the state government for turning a blind eye to rampant illegal coal mining.